calibrate

[kal-uh-breyt]

verb (used with object)

calibrated, calibrating 

1. to determine, check, or rectify the graduation of (any instrument giving quantitative measurements).

2. to divide or mark with gradations, graduations, or other indexes of degree, quantity, etc., as on a thermometer, measuring cup, or the like.

3. to determine the correct range for (an artillery gun, mortar, etc.) by observing where the fired projectile hits.

4. to plan or devise (something) carefully so as to have a precise use, application, appeal, etc..

   a sales strategy calibrated to rich investors.

calibrate

/ ˈkælɪˌbreɪt /

verb

1. to measure the calibre of (a gun, mortar, etc)

2. to mark (the scale of a measuring instrument) so that readings can be made in appropriate units

3. to determine the accuracy of (a measuring instrument, etc)

4. to determine or check the range and accuracy of (a piece of artillery)

calibrate

1. To check, adjust, or standardize a measuring instrument, usually by comparing it with an accepted model.

2. To measure the diameter of the inside of a tube.

Other Word Forms

• calibration noun
• calibrator noun
• calibrater noun
• recalibrate verb (used with or without object)
• uncalibrated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of calibrate¹

First recorded in 1860–65; calib(e)r + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The seemingly mundane task of taking photos of vehicles for sale is actually a carefully calibrated, standardized and coordinated operation aiming to make the consumer comfortable and the experience frictionless, she said.

Read more on MarketWatch

A lot of what officials, economists and investors know about the economy is derived from looking at government statistics and using that data to calibrate economic models.

Read more on Barron's

They are the queen and king of carefully calibrated consistency, and one wishes that from time to time Mr. Serrano would follow their lead and lose some of the repetition and one-word paragraphs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To confirm the meaning of these chemical signatures, seawater samples collected by the research vessel Eugen Seibold were used to calibrate the nitrogen isotopes in modern corals, demonstrating that they reliably record nitrogen fixation.

Read more on Science Daily

"The sensor is a different tool and it is not possible to calibrate them for every run," says Mr Pathak, adding that "sensor-based air quality monitoring has not yet been approved by the Indian government".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• adjust 
• assess 
• average 
• check 
• compute 
• determine 
• estimate 
• evaluate 
• fit 
• gauge 
• limit 
• mark 
• peg 
• quantify 
• rank 
• regulate 
• survey 
• weigh